About Us

Our Mission:
The mission of the Ottawa Garment Guild is to foster a community of garment makers in the Ottawa area, where sewists can gather to discuss their hobby, connect socially and intellectually, and to build their sewing skills.  The Ottawa Garment Guild is geared towards the hobbyist, and all sewing skill levels are welcome.

The Ottawa Garment Guild (OGG) strives to providing a safe space for makers of all identities.
The OGG does not discriminate based on age, disability, gender identity or expression, sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, political beliefs, or religious affiliation.  All persons with a passion for sewing clothing are welcome to attend.

Read our full constitution here.

Follow us on social media:
Facebook: Ottawa Garment Guild
Instagram: @ottawagarmentguild
Twitter: @OTTgarmentguild


Our Executive (2023-2024):


PRESIDENT: Claire Kerry
  • Runs the monthly meetings
    • Assists the Vice President in determining monthly meeting content;
  • Manages the OGG gmail account (ottawagarmentguild(@gmail.com);
  • Manages the Executive Discussions virtual discussion group;
  • Manages the various Google Drive documents;
  • Manages the General Membership email list, and the Executive email list (MailChimp);
  • Manages administrative aspects of the guild including corporation records, liability insurance, and other duties as required;
  • Assists all other Executive members with their duties as necessary, and ensures that Executives are meeting the requirements of their position;
  • Has signing authority on the bank account;
  • Will be an ex-officio member on all sub-committees.

VICE PRESIDENT: Leah Stolarski
  • Assists the President with their duties;
  • Steps in when the President is not able to run the meeting or fulfil a duty;
  • Books/ manages speakers for meetings (whether this be a special guest, or a member speaking about a topic of interest);
  • Books space for monthly General Membership meetings
  • Manages the scheduling of “Pattern of the Month”, “Sew & Tell" and other meeting segments;
  • Has signing authority on the bank account

TREASURER: Laura Gibson
  • Maintains the bank account for the Guild, and presents a summary of the state of the account for Executive meetings;
  • Manages the membership fees and follows up with people who haven’t paid;
  • Prepares an annual budget for the Executive’s approval;
  • Aids the Vice-President, Workshop & Sew-in Coordinator, and Events Coordinator in the preparation of event-based budgets;
  • Pays outstanding invoices as required;
  • Files any required paperwork and tax returns in a timely manner;
  • Has signing authority on the bank account.
  • Will be an ex-officio member on all sub-committees.

EVENTS COORDINATOR: Renee Michienzi
  • Works with other executive members in organizing special events (ie Frocktails/ Sewing Prom, fundraisers, excursions, etc) and putting together an event committee as required;
  • Coordinates with the President to ensure Guild members are aware (via meetings and the email list) of special programming;
  • Prepares event budgets for the Executive’s approval;
    • Working with the Treasurer, manages fees and ticket prices for special events;
  • Coordinates with the Social Media Manager in the preparation of content for use across platforms for promotion of special events and programming.

SECRETARY: Kimberley Low
  • Takes notes at the General monthly meetings for the post-meeting summary emails;
    • Meeting minutes are to be approved by the Executive, then sent to the Social Media Manager for posting on the website/ blog.
  • Prepares the Agenda for Executive Committee meetings;
  • Takes notes at Executive meetings and prepares meeting minutes;
    • Meeting minutes are to be approved by the Executive.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: Stephanie Houle 
  • Manages the Instagram account, public Facebook page, blog/ website, and twitter accounts;
    • Keeps track of the passwords document for all accounts;
    • Can solicit members for blog posts or content for these pages;
  • Takes photos at monthly meetings, to be shared on the various social media accounts;
  • Establish and maintain a schedule of posts, across platforms, fostering the ongoing engagement of Guild members and the broader Ottawa sewing community, in ongoing programming, and special events;
  • Works with the Vice-President, Workshop & Sew-in Coordinator, and Events Coordinator in the preparation of content for use across platforms, as determined on an event-by-event basis.

WORKSHOPS & SEW-INS COORDINATOR: Laura-Lee MacDonald
  • Books teachers or guests for special skills workshops throughout the membership year;
    • Works with the Vice President to book any space required for extra workshops and programming;
  • Manages fees (working with the Treasurer) for special workshops, based on enrollment;
  • Schedules and manages Sew-Ins throughout the year;
  • Prepares workshop and sew-in budgets for the Executive’s approval;
  • Coordinates with the President to ensure Guild members are aware (via meetings and the email list) of general programming;
  • Coordinates with the Social Media Manager in the preparation of content for use across platforms for promotion of workshops & sew-ins.

PAST PRESIDENT: Johanna
  • In the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Past President shall serve in the order of that office and perform such duties as are performed by the President;
  • Shall be on the Executive Committee in an advisory position for 2 months, attending all executive committee meetings and General meetings;
  • Shall have signing authority as required to maintain OGG operations until signing authority has been established by the incoming new Executive.

ALL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
  • All Executive Committee members shall be responsible for the following;
  • Leadership and operation of the OGG;
  • Maintaining and reviewing the Articles, By-Laws, and Procedures of the OGG Constitution;
  • Determining the Membership Fee and Drop-In Fees;
  • Practice wise stewardship of the resources of the Ottawa Garment Guild;
  • Determine the dates of the monthly General Membership meetings;
  • Hold monthly meetings between regular General Membership meetings to plan and organize the ongoing programming of the OGG;
  • Meets their obligations with respect to attending monthly Guild meetings, Executive meetings, and makes an effort to attend extra programming and events, as needed;
  • Actively promotes the Guild and recruits new members;
  • Submitting a written report (“transition report”) at the conclusion of the term in office, providing future Executive committee members with information about the activities, results, and challenges faced while in office.